Chairman’s Letter
June 2023
Dear Member,
In my second Chairman’s Letter, I am very pleased to say that the recovery in Members’ usage of the Club that we were starting to see this time last year did in fact continue for the rest of 2022 and into the start of 2023. During this time, it has been a pleasure to meet many Members and to see Club life once again returning to its pre-pandemic vibrant self.
As always, a lot has happened since the last Letter and, as you will read, some exciting developments are planned.
Starting with last year, our 2022 financial results are covered in detail in the enclosed audited accounts and I would encourage Members to review them together with the Directors’ Strategic Report. Suffice to say that we very nearly broke even operationally (excluding depreciation), which was a positive outcome compared to our expectations at the start of the year.
An undoubted highlight of 2022 was my speech at the Annual Club Dinner in October. It was such a success that the Secretary has stressed that there is no need for me to give another speech at this year’s dinner!
On a more serious note, and as detailed in the People and Development section, over the last few months it has been very pleasing to see several former members of staff re-joining the Club. I am sure that Members will join me in welcoming them back.
Looking forward to next year, in the Club Food and Beverage section, we have detailed plans for the refurbishment of the Dining Room, as well as bringing the Smoking Room back into greater usage.
The introduction of Club Membership Payment Cards has greatly helped the Club’s cash flow and we are again giving Members the opportunity to benefit from a 5% bonus when topping up (please see Membership Card Top Up section for details). This is something that I would encourage Members to take advantage of.
Financial Results 2022
Please refer to the AGM notice and audited accounts booklet for a detailed analysis of the 2022 trading position within the Directors’ Strategic Report.
Club Operations
“The commercial ‘hangover’ from the pandemic began to ease for the Club in May last year…”
The commercial ‘hangover’ from the pandemic began to ease for the Club in May last year, and the restoration of confidence and usage by Members continued steadily through the year. The Club achieved an operating surplus in seven out of the last eight months of 2022 – a feat that is not regularly achieved in any year. The Club, with its international membership, remained impacted by geopolitical policies and conventions, and it is likely that global macroeconomic influences also played a part in the Club’s incoming business throughout last year. Members visiting from India, Pakistan, the Americas and Australasia benefited from comparatively weak Sterling throughout the Summer months making excellent use of the accommodation and the Hill Station Bar and Terrace. By early Autumn, the significant cohort of Members resident in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia were permitted to travel with far fewer restrictions and they used this opportunity to visit the Club for the first time in many months.
Before turning to a more detailed review of Club news and updates, one area in which the Club has not returned to pre-pandemic levels is in the number of Members. Club Members have always been the best source of candidates and hence, I would encourage everyone to try and propose new Members.
The Club’s rejuvenated hot and cold water provision for the bedrooms delighted Members and, for the first time since the 1960s, the Secretariat ‘mailbag’ was bereft of correspondence bemoaning incomplete or unsatisfactory ablutions!
The pandemic restrictions resulted in shifts in working practices, and unpredictable levels of demand, dictating a more restrained menu in the Dining Room. Over the past few months, our
Brigade of Chefs, and particularly Head Chef –Arkadiusz Forystek, has been focusing on restoring the creativity and diversity of the menus with a firm focus on variety, quality, consistency, interest and satisfaction. There will always be a place for ‘Club Classics’ and, of course, the much-loved Eastern menus have been enjoyed at the Club since its conception, but we have listened to Member feedback that there is an appetite for the return of greater refinement, interest, innovation, and a lighter touch. I am pleased to report that this is already clearly discernable, especially in the Dining Room, and there is more to look forward to. The ‘Taste of’ series of seasonal dinners is a structured showcase of the approach described above and I wholeheartedly encourage Members to make a reservation for one of these to experience it for themselves (early reservations are recommended due to their popularity).
People and Development
One of the curiosities and frustrations which caused operational and qualitative difficulties in late 2021 and much of 2022 was the shortage of labour in the hospitality sector (and other service sectors) in the UK, Continental Europe, North America, and Australasia. There are numerous, well-publicised and nuanced theories behind this phenomenon, and to a great extent, the situation prevails. Towards the end of last year, things began to improve, and, as a result of operational restructuring, promotions, new senior appointments and determined leadership, this new impetus began to yield more meaningful results. Most pleasing of all has been the re-appointment of a number of skillful, hard-working and popular Staff Team members – much to the delight of Members who have been reacquainted with these valuable assets. Many of these individuals have gained new skills and experiences which benefit the Club, its Members and their colleagues. Please see the latest Staff Photo Sheet included within this Chairman’s Letter pack to appreciate this fully.
AGM Matters
Please refer to the accompanying AGM Letter for details on these matters.
Stratford House Update
Following the complete re-plumb of the domestic cold and hot water systems and the Central Heating source-heat and controls in 2022, the Club continues to invest in its principal asset in advance of the Bicentenary next year. The objective is for the Club
to look better than ever before since making Stratford House its home in 1962. During the Christmas Closure, the French Polishers fully restored the Reception Desk and Main Front doors along with several internal doors throughout the Club. In April, staircase and corridor carpets were replaced where required throughout much of the building, and the carpet in the Main Drawing Room received an overhaul, extending its life by several more years. Various pieces of kitchen equipment have been replaced or upgraded to complement the new Food and Beverage strategy (more on this later in the Letter), with the objective of enhancing the quality and consistency of preparation. The Staff Refectory received a long-overdue makeover, and a series of subtle upgrades are underway to a number of the bathrooms in some of the older bedrooms on the Marylebone Lane and Courtyard elevations.
Club Food and Beverage Strategy – from early 2024
As touched upon above, the Club is implementing a fresh approach to its Food and Beverage strategy, which Members will see come fully into fruition in early 2024. Specific updates will be communicated on these plans when dates have been confirmed. Please refer to pages 9–11 for full details of the Future Club Food & Beverage Strategy for early 2024.
Elizabeth Line
A reminder that the Elizabeth Line is now operating, with access possible from Bond Street Underground Station, and a direct journey time to and from Heathrow in as little as thirty-two minutes. The Club has never been better connected.
Membership Card Top Up
To support the working capital requirements for the Dining Room refurbishment planned for this Winter, we would like to encourage Members to deposit funds on to their Membership Payment Card. In return, a special 5% ‘top-up’ Bonus will be applied to all deposits of between £500 and £25,000 deposited between Monday 7th August and Friday 18th August. To obtain further details of this offer and how to participate, please contact membershipcard@orientalclub.org.uk and the information will be sent to you. Please do not remit any funds until you have received an email reply which will detail how the funds may be transferred. The Club must receive the funds via bank transfer rather than direct debit, in order to process the bonus credits.
“…the Club is implementing a fresh approach to its Food and Beverage strategy”
Stratford House Foundation
An application for Charitable Status (for the Stratford House Foundation as opposed to the Club itself) was submitted to the Charity Commission in December 2022. The Trustees of the Stratford House Foundation await the Commission’s determination. More details will follow in due course.
Membership and Marketing
The Club will host another New Members Reception this coming October – this is an opportunity for new Members to meet one another, Committee Members and the Honorary Secretaries of the Club’s vibrant range of Societies. It has been encouraging to see Members proposing friends, family and colleagues for Membership. As Members, you are the most effective source for identifying and proposing potential new Members. To learn more about the process for proposing new Members please contact membership@orientalclub.org.uk. The Bicentenary celebrations next year will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Club to guests and prospective Members.
“…our Under 35 Society has been re-launched”
Our OC7 and OC7+ Scheme continue to be a very effective and positive way of introducing younger Members to the Club. We have been strengthening and growing these relationships and will continue to do so over the coming year. I encourage every Member to consider giving the gift of Membership to their Children, Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews and Godchildren through the OC7 and OC7+ Schemes. The recent re-launch of our Under 35 Society will provide a varied programme of events for our younger Members and facilitate multiple opportunities to meet one another in a convivial environment. One of the many benefits of Membership is the Club’s relationship with a carefully curated list of Reciprocal Clubs. Members have privileged access to exclusive Clubs around the world. We are constantly reviewing and enriching these relationships and the newest additions are The University Club in Washington DC, USA, the Newcastle Club in Newcastle, Australia and Phyllis Court in Henleyon-Thames. All Club Members intending to visit a Reciprocal Club must obtain a letter of introduction from the Oriental Club. For further information please contact reservations@orientalclub.org.uk If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit the Club this year, why not treat yourself to a weekend in London or attend one of the many events that are planned. London has a fabulous range of exhibitions, plays, concerts and more
providing an infinite number of reasons to visit. Why not use your complimentary night of accommodation that is a Benefit of Membership*? For full details of your Benefits of Membership please see pages 16 and 17.
Please remember that you may order from the Oriental Club Dine at Home service to send to friends and family from wherever you are in the world –these meals make the perfect gift. The service also provides an elegant dinner party catering solution and has been very popular for gifting through the presentation of gift cards available to purchase on the website or in person. Please contact clubsales@orientalclub.org. uk to arrange your bespoke deliveries for corporate gifting. For Members who are less confident about the on-line ordering process, our Staff Team members will be delighted to assist you in placing your orders.
Head Chef – Arkadiusz Forystek, and Club Wine Adviser – Elena Barattini, showcased the best produce of the season, paired with fine wines. The Club also held its second Calcutta Light Horse Regiment Dinner celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Goa Raid.
In April, we welcomed back Club Member – John Morton, for a book talk on his second book ‘Toil, endure, believe’. He previously presented his first book ‘Family of the Raj’ and is currently writing his third book.
“There are many events to look forward to this Summer…”
A reminder that the on-line Boutique is available for Members to browse and purchase the full range of Club Merchandise via the website. We have added several new items recently including commemorative Coronation Napkins and Elizabeth Line Tea Towels.
Club Events
Members and their Guests have enjoyed many well-attended, convivial events at Stratford House over the past few months. As per tradition, last December, the Club held its Members’ Complimentary Christmas Turkey Curry Lunch in the Shamiana – this event was an opportunity to thank Members for their ongoing support and loyalty.
In January, the Chinese New Year Banquets to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit were sell-out occasions, where Members and their guests enjoyed a delicious family-style sharing menu prepared by the Club’s Kitchen Brigade. The annual Burns Night Supper was also at full capacity with an enjoyable evening had by all. Special guest – Pipe Sergeant Peter Osman, entertained Members and their guests with a theatrical Memories of the Bard.
Honorary Art Historian – Georgina Bexon, hosted two fascinating ‘Art in Focus’ Talks in February and March focusing on the Sati Scene by Tilly Kettle in the Dining Room and the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy portrait in the Small Drawing Room (currently on loan to the British Museum for its China’s Hidden Century exhibition).
In March, the Taste of Spring Dinner hosted by
In May – Club Members enjoyed a Wine Tour to Tuscany. During the three-day stay, the group visited exceptional producers, highlighting wines characteristic of three specific areas – Chianti Classico, Montalcino and Bolgheri. There are many events to look forward to this Summer including the annual Jazz Barbecue with the Kai Hoffman Sextet on Thursday 29th June, the Summer Party & Dinner on Thursday 6th July and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on Monday 10th July. Following the success of the first Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Award led by Elena Barattini last November, Elena will teach the Level 2 Award over three days at the Club in July – 8th, 9th and 15th July.
Members may make reservations for Club and Society events up to twelve months in advance –please refer to the rolling annual Events Calendar on the Club website for dates for your diary.
Societies
Club Societies have been active over the past few months, organising many events with much more to come. For full up-to-date details, please refer to the ‘Societies’ page on the Club website – simply click on each Society image to learn more about what they have planned.
The Battlefield Tour Society hosted its Annual Dinner in February and Members are looking forward to this year’s Tour to York to discover more about the English Civil Wars.
The Bridge Society continues to meet every Tuesday afternoon to play in the Small Smoking Room and the Annual Spring Lunch in April was well attended and enjoyed by all.
The Chess Society has played seven matches so far this year, including three friendly matches. In their last and final HR Cup match of the season in April, the Society lost to The Athenaeum Club –their team included Peter Lee – the only person to become the British Chess and Bridge Champion
in history. On the Oriental Club’s team, congratulations to Robert McClatchey who was the only winner in the Cup team on the evening. The Society’s very own ‘legend’, Yaroslav Voropayev, has most likely forgotten the number of times he has secured victory over Peter Lee including last season. This time however, Peter Lee offered him a draw and Yari accepted. It was a wonderful evening, full of laughter, brilliant company and great hospitality. In May, the Society hosted its Annual Society Dinner. The Open Chess & Curry Evening will take place on 5th July.
The Cricket Society hosted a very successful Preseason Curry Lunch in March and is now well into its fourteen-match season and about to embark on its Tour of Somerset.
The Game Shooting Society met in April for their Annual Dinner and is looking forward to a Portman Burtley Shoot in September, plus two days at Burwarton in November.
The Golf Society has a full calendar of meetings which were discussed at their Annual Society Dinner in January. Highlights of early 2023 include the Spring Meeting at Royal Blackheath in late April, and the Spring Tour to the Midlands at the Beau Desert and Little Aston courses on 15th and 16th May.
The Music Society, with its new Honorary Secretaries – Bob & Elisabeth Boas and Jessica Ford, began the year with a full house for the Sam Haywood Piano Recital. The regular monthly recitals have been well attended by Members and their guests with performances by artists including mezzo-soprano – Helen Sherman and friends, pianist –Robin Green, violinist – Florence Cooke, cellist –Christoph Richter and the Ben Goldscheider Horn Trio. There are many more recitals to come in the upcoming months.
The Racing Society has also started the year strongly – with a sell-out annual Cheltenham Gold Cup Lunch in March, followed by their first Grand National Curry Lunch in April, a Sandown Evening Meeting in May, as well as the Oaks Lunch in early June.
The Snooker & Billiards Society hosted an informal Curry Buffet this March and held their Annual Dinner in May, where they had the opportunity to meet around the snooker table as well as at the dinner table.
The Under 35 Society has now re-launched, with its first event – an informal drinks evening in honour of The King’s Coronation in May. The Under 35 Working Group are planning a calendar of events and will be sharing this in future emails and newsletters.
The Wine Society has also begun 2023 in fine
